I've learned more than I ever wanted to know here about something I'd never heard of until I was diagnosed by MRI almost a month ago. The report says: diffuse degenerative spondyloarthropathy. This started in January with pain in my shoulder and I lost the ability to raise my arm. Then I started having trouble breathing and was finally diagnosed with pericarditis with effusion the end of July. I had to have surgery to have a window put in my pericardium in order to drain the fluid. The doctors still haven't found out what caused it. The biopsy results should be in soon.

During surgery they tried to drain the fluid off my lung, but my lung was stuck to my ribs and the lung collapsed. I was hooked to a vaccuum cleaner on blow that was on turbo boost or something for a couple of hours until the lung reinflated. I felt like a dog with its head out the window, lips blowing away from the teeth. You get the picture.

After the surgery, my left shoulder blade sticks way out when I raise my arm. I can at least pull my arm straight up, so that's something I've gained. I was still having muscle spasms in my neck, so my GP sent me for an MRI on my shoulder and cervical spine. GP doesn't seem to concerned, says exercise, use good posture and have shots in the spine when the pain is uncontrolled. Everything I've learned has been online, and the only useful information has been here.

The chiropractor says everyone gets this. I think everything I've had is connected to the spondyloarthropathy (what IS the abbreviation for that?) My liver enzymes are elevated and blood sugar is a bit high, blury vision, inability to focus (that's been going on for a few years.) The opthomologist says my electrolytes are "screwed up" and he thinks I have reactive hypoglycemia. I got a glucose monitor at his suggestion and my blood sugar doesn't waiver much from 95.

The GP wants a liver biopsy, the liver guy says lets do a few more blood tests and wait a month. I'm feeling like a science experiment.

I'm 54, female, and have never had anything seriously wrong. This is pi##ing me OFF! Plus the reality of it terrifies me. I saw my MRI and could see the little hook things on my vertebrae that are swollen. Does this mean I'll have fusing soon? I've most likely had this for a long time, but this would be my first "flare." I'm in my second year of college and am wondering now if I should even bother to finish.

Thanks for letting me ramble incoherently.

Beverley